Illinois Supreme Court Library

The Library of the Supreme Court of Illinois dates back to 1842. Since 1908, the library has been located in the Supreme Court Building in Springfield. The library primarily serves the Judicial branch of the State of Illinois, however the library is also made available to state, federal, and local governments, the bar, and the general public.

A private branch library, located in the Chicago loop, is maintained for the use of the Supreme Court in Chicago and the First District Appellate Court.

Reference service

Law librarians are available to help library users locate information, identify relevant
resources, and develop search strategy. Library staff are unable to give legal advice or
interpret the law. Information provided by the law library should not be substituted for
legal advice. We recommend you contact an attorney for advice specific to the facts of
your situation.

If you need help with a reference question, you may ask your question...

The Supreme Court of Illinois Library is not a lending library. Under Supreme Court Rule 33, library materials do not circulate.

Photocopiers and microform printers

Self-service photocopiers and printers are available to the public for the strictly enforced purpose of legal materials only. Each library user is limited to 50 photocopied and/or printed pages per person, per day. This page limit is also strictly enforced by Library staff.

Document delivery services

The library is only able to send matierials as PDF's attached to a valid e-mail address. We are unable to provide materials through fax or mailing services such as USPS.

Accessibility to Individuals with Disabilities

The library is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Library staff make all reasonable efforts to meet the needs of library users with disabilities. Library users with special needs are encouraged to seek assistance at the Reference Desk in advance of their library visit.

Telephones

We do not have outgoing telephone or fax service for use by Library visitors. Library users are asked to use their cellular phones in the hallway outside the Library.

The Collection

The library contains well over 100,000 volumes consisting of federal and state primary authority, as well as secondary authority, including encyclopedias, treatises, loose-leaf services, case digests, ALR's and subscriptions to over 350 legal periodicals.